The new agency will oversee safety in bodies of water located within county parks. (photo courtesy of L.A. County Parks)

The County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation is creating a new Aquatics Agency that is a key departmental realignment of its vast network of swimming pools, lakes, lake swim beaches and water-related facilities and activities. The historic reorganization of L.A. County Parks’ extensive and popular aquatics programs and assets into one unit positions it to address future needs of local communities; operations growth; boating, lake swim beach and pool safety; and lake maintenance and environmental compliance as the region becomes hotter for longer periods of time.

Across an expansive region, L.A. County Parks manages 14 lakes with three lake recreational swim beaches that are accessible to residents and boaters who live far from ocean beaches, 41 swimming pools and 23 splash pads. L.A. County Parks hosts more than 27,000 yearly boat lake launches, teaches 100,000 swim lessons annually, and employs nearly 900 employees, including hundreds of youths.

“With a warming climate and more heat waves, L.A. County Parks is focused on improving and safeguarding our incredible aquatics facilities and programs to help families cool off and enjoy the outdoors,” said Norma E. García-González, director of L.A. County Parks. “Across our huge county, residents can swim, play, go boating, splash, kayak or visit one of our many pools, lakes, swimming beaches and splash pads. Establishing this Aquatics Agency opens a new chapter on meeting the challenges of climate change, continuing our priority on water safety, and providing water recreation activities and programming serving millions of visitors annually.”

The new Aquatics Agency will be led by Hugo Maldonado, deputy director, and Joseph Goss, regional operations manager. Maldonado and Goss bring decades of aquatics, lifeguarding, boating and safety leadership to their new roles.

L.A. County Parks offers a diverse range of Aquatics programs countywide, including boating, swimming, fishing, wakeboarding, kayaking, jet-skiing, sailing and windsurfing. Community activities include swimming, diving, and water polo teams; youth fishing derbies and equity-focused programs such as Every Body Swims, low-cost swim lessons and senior water exercise classes.

For information, visit parks.lacounty.gov.